Chapter 586 The Parade
"Presenting to you all… the Otherworlders: Humanity's Champions!"
The parade around the city was met with a loud uproar from the denizens of the city as all the available heroes of mankind—the Otherworlders—and the representatives of the Nobles, as well as the Royal Council, walked the streets of the Capital.
The streets of the newly rebuilt capital exuded a sense of grandeur and rejuvenation. Cobblestone paths winded gracefully through the city, meticulously maintained and polished to a brilliant sheen.
As the group paraded through, they noticed intricate mosaics inlaid within the streets, depicting the city's rich history and triumphant rise from the ashes.
There were new facilities around, but most of the Capital maintained its old architecture.
The buildings lining the streets were a fine blend of traditional and contemporary architecture.
Towering spires and elegant domes punctuated the skyline, while stout, stone walls and arched windows created an imposing yet welcoming atmosphere.
Overall, the atmosphere in the city was one of celebration.
The banner of the United Human Alliance, an Amalgamation of the crests of all the Nations who banded together against the Dragons, was raised high to represent humanity's pride.
As the flag fluttered in the breeze, the parade passed by.
Musicians played lively tunes, their melodies permeating the air and setting a joyous tone. Crowds of townspeople gathered along the streets, their faces filled with pride and excitement as they cheered and waved to the procession.
Markets and shops are bustling with activity, their stalls brimming with goods from near and far.
Everything felt the same—almost even better.
The main highlight of this parade, however, were the five Otherworlders who led the charge.
Or rather, the one who stood at the forefront.
There were Trisha, Justin, Clark, and Belle—each getting waves and recognition for their accomplishments and strength.
However, the attention they received was dwarfed by the one that was showered on the true savior of the Capital.
The man who defeated the creature of calamity—one whom many had witnessed firsthand,
His name was Rey Skylar; recognized leader of the Otherworlders.
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'This attention is a little overwhelming.'
Rey felt almost nothing despite thinking this thanks to his increased mastery over controlling his feelings.
That didn't make it any less uncomfortable.
He glanced to his left and right, ensuring to wave around at the people who cheered for him and his friends.
'I can see everyone and everything around me, so there really isn't any need to move my head, but…' Rey was sure he would look like a weirdo if he simply waved and kept his gaze forward.
It could also be interpreted as a little rude—something he wasn't being in the slightest.
'In any case, the parade is a lot more crowded than I thought.'
Rey was informed that it would just a brief thing that was meant to raise the spirits of everyone in the City and also re-establish the influence and presence of the Otherworlders in the eyes of humanity.
And, it would also be his proper debut.
Thus far, everything seemed to have been blown out of proportion.
'Did Ater overdo things again because it's my debut?' Rey couldn't help but think this was the case.
Also, as if the external cheers and noise wasn't enough, he kept getting squeals from inside him.
~KYAAAA! Master, you're so awesome! You're so popular and great! Everyone recognizes your greatness! I'm so pleased!~
Yes, Emil wouldn't shut up.
She had been yelling and squealing like an incorrigible fan girl since the parade began, and Rey didn't think it would end anytime soon.
Still, he allowed her to indulge herself.
'Ater is nowhere to be seen, per usual. I guess he's setting things up for the Gala, so I can't blame him.'
Besides, with Rey having a proper look at the city that was previously in flames, he couldn't help but feel incredibly impressed with Ater.
He had already seen everything when he flew above the city, but there was something about walking through the streets that granted him a new perspective on things.
'How did Ater manage all of this within three months?' Rey couldn't help but wonder.
Other than a few areas in the Capital's outskirts and fringe areas, evergrhing was pretty much set.
~Master, I could also accomplish it in three months! No, two! No… give me only one!~
'You? Pfft… sure.' Rey couldn't help but leak out a grin as Emil's voice echoed in his mind.
~It's true! Let me destroy everything and I'll show you what I can do!~
'The hell? Destroy? What are you talking about?'
His smile instantly vanished.
~Tehee… just teasing you, Master~
At that moment, Rey wanted to slap his hand on his face for falling for Emil's childish provocation. Still, he controlled himself.
At the moment, he was a distinguished fellow, and all eyes were on him.
He couldn't afford to mess up.
'Still, despite all my complaints and reservations… this is beautiful.'
The city was colorful and cheerful.
It warmed his heart a little, especially seeing all the smiles and optimism that the people displayed.
'I wish you were here to see this, Alicia… Adonis…'
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The Parade reached a sacred climax when the group arrived at their destination—the City Square.
Everyone gathered solemnly there to honor the three heroes who had fallen in battle: Eric the Mage, Billy the Warrior, and Snow, the White Rabbit.
A sense of reverence hung over the crowd as the statues were unveiled, each one meticulously crafted to capture the essence of the heroes' bravery and sacrifice.
Eric the Mage stood tall and proud, his piercing gaze immortalized in stone as he held a wand aloft, a symbol of his mastery over magic and his unyielding spirit.
His robes flowed gracefully around him, carved with intricate patterns that hinted at his deep knowledge and power.
Honestly, he looked a lot more valiant in the statue than he ever looked in real life. Unfortunately, the lifeless eyes of the statue could never capture the gleam of adventure that he often displayed.
The glasses did a good job at hiding that fact, though, so the sculpted work resembled him to a fault,
Beside him, Billy the Warrior was depicted in a moment of triumph, his sword raised high and his armor shining. The sculptor had captured the fierce determination in his expression, reflecting his unwavering commitment to protect the city and its people at any cost.
Those who deeply knew Billy knew how somewhat flawed this depiction was, but they still decided to respect the new perception of him.
He died being a protector, after all.
The statue of Snow, the White Rabbit, was a departure from the traditional hero, but no less significant.
Snow's delicate form was seated with a serene expression, embodying both grace and resilience. Her fur was meticulously detailed, and she stood within her forelimbs folded as she made a strangely serious pose.
It was strange to see an animal propped up in such a way, but the Otherworlders couldn't help but nod in respect.
In fact, the statue hardly did her Justice.
As the crowd looked upon the statues, they felt a deep sense of gratitude and loss.
Flowers and tokens of remembrance were laid at the feet of the statues, and prayers were whispered in honor of the fallen heroes.
The people vowed to keep their memories alive, ensuring that their sacrifice would never be forgotten.
With the statues now standing as a permanent tribute in the heart of the city, the people found solace in knowing that Eric, Billy, and Snow would forever be celebrated as symbols of courage and selflessness.
And as for the rest of the Otherworlders, the statues served as a reminder of the friends they lost—as well as the reason they lost them.
The enemies… the Dragons.